Albert Londe

French photographer and medical researcher

Albert Londe (26 November 1858 – 19 September 1917) was a pioneering French photographer and researcher known for his work in medical photography and the development of chronophotography. He made significant contributions to the study of movement and the documentation of medical conditions through innovative photographic techniques.

Early Life and Education

Albert Londe was born in La Ciotat, France. He developed an interest in photography at a young age and pursued studies in chemistry and physics, which later informed his photographic work. His scientific background enabled him to experiment with photographic processes and techniques that were groundbreaking for his time.

Career at La Salpêtrière

Photograph of a patient with hysteria at La Salpêtrière, 1885

Londe is best known for his work at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, where he served as the director of photography. Under the guidance of the renowned neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, Londe used photography to document various neurological disorders, particularly hysteria. His photographs were used for both diagnostic and educational purposes, providing visual evidence of medical conditions that were previously difficult to describe.

Innovations in Photography

Londe was a pioneer in the field of chronophotography, a technique that captures multiple phases of movement in a single image. He developed a twelve-lens camera that could take a series of photographs in rapid succession, allowing for detailed analysis of motion. This innovation was instrumental in the study of human and animal locomotion.

Albert Londe's twelve-lens camera, used for chronophotography

Contributions to Medical Science

Londe's work at La Salpêtrière contributed significantly to the understanding of neurological disorders. His photographs provided a visual record that was invaluable for medical research and education. By capturing the physical manifestations of conditions like hysteria, Londe's work helped to legitimize the study of these disorders and influenced the development of modern neurology.

Publications and Legacy

Albert Londe authored several books and articles on photography and its applications in medicine. His publications include "La Photographie Médicale" (Medical Photography), which outlined the techniques and applications of photography in the medical field. Londe's work laid the foundation for future developments in medical imaging and continues to be recognized for its historical significance.

Related Pages

• Chronophotography
• Jean-Martin Charcot
• Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital
• History of photography